China claims lion's share of global growth

Jiang Jianguo, minister of State Council Information Office addressed a media dialogue in Geneva on Tuesday ahead of President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit on 15-18 January. [Photo by Fu Jing/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China contributed up to 40 percentof global economic growth in 2016, double the total contribution of the developed economies,Jiang Jianguo, Minister of the State Council Information Office said on Tuesday in Geneva.

At a dialogue attended by media leaders from China and Switzerland, Jiang revealed the findings of the International Monetary Fund latest global economic outlook to give them an "objective and fair" view on China's economy and its contribution to the global recovery.

"Based on the IMF figures, China has contributed 39 percent of global economic growth in 2016, while the developed economies' total contribution has not surpassed half of that of China," said Jiang, who was in Switzerland ahead of President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit.

"Steady growth from China has resulted in a stable base for the global economy," said Jiang.

From 15-18 January, Xi will be paying a state visit to Switzerland, attending the annual meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos, visiting the International Olympics Committee and World Health Organization and attending a high-level United Nations conference.

Xi has visited up to 50 countries since he became China's top leader in late 2012 but it is first time he will stay four days in a single country.

Jiang said this indicated that China attaches great importance to the bilateral relationship between China and Switzerland and also that the country is willing to explain its increased commitments in taking more global responsibility in a world full of challenges.

Though China has slowed its growth as it restructures its economy, Jiang said it has bright future and will bring more opportunities to the world.